Door signal regulator



1959 L. H. MINNICH 2,909,771

DOOR SIGNAL REGULATOR Filed July 5, 1956 INVENTOR. ZOU/S H. M/N/V/CHUnited States Patent DOOR SIGNAL REGULATOR Louis H. Minnich, MapleShade, NJ.

Application July 5, 1956, Serial No. 596,084

3 Claims. (Cl. 340-392) The present invention is directed to a doorsignal regulator and is concerned primarily with the provision of aregulator which will automatically control the time during which a doorsignal is effective and also inactivate a signal for a predeterminedinterval after it has once been actuated.

At the present time, bells, buzzers, and chimes are commonly employed asdoor signals for the purpose of advising the occupant of the premiseswhere such a signal is installed of the fact that a caller is at thedoor. For the purposes of this specification, such a door signal willhereinafter be referred to as a doorbell, although it is to be clearlyunderstood that the term is synonymous with a buzzer or chime.

People ringing doorbells may be divided into several categories. Somepeople will depress the push button only momentarily. Others will pushthe button repeatedly at short intervals; while still others will holdthe button depressed for long periods. In many cases, the actuation of adoorbell in any of these manners is annoying to the people occupying thepremises. Thus, when an impatient caller holds the button depressed fora long time or repeatedly pushes it, a nuisance is created which isparticularly objectionable if infants should be asleep. Then again, onoccasions such as Halloween, youngsters in pursuit of mischief oftenring doorbells repeatedly and on different occasions, all to theannoyance of the home owner.

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in viewas an important object the provision of a door signal regulator which,in the first instance, is efiective to so activate the signal, whatevercharacter it may be, for a certain predetermined time period regardlessof how long the push button is held depressed. Purely by way of example,it is noted that if the regulator is set for the signal to be activatedfor a period of twofifths of a second, the regulator of this inventionis effective to cause the signal to be activated for exactly that periodregardless of whether or not the push button is depressed onlymomentarily or for a long period.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide a doorsignal regulator of the character indicated which includes electricaldevices whereby, once the push button has been actuated to render thesignal effective for the predetermined period, it is then renderedineffective for another longer predetermined interval. Thus, by way ofexample, it may be noted that, after the bell has been activated, itcannot again be rendered effective uutil after the elapse of an intervalwhich may be something in the nature of three minutes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a door signalregulator of the type aforesaid which causes the period during which thesignal is inactivated to begin to run each time the push button isdepressed. Thus, if a caller should push the button and become impatientafter waiting a minute or two, and then again push the button, thesignal will not be in a condition to. become Patented Oct. 20, 1959 iceeffective until after the elapse of the full period from the time of thelast pushing of the button.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a door signalregulator of the character noted, an electrical system including a pushbutton and a signal, together with electrical devices forshort-circuiting the push button once it is depressed so as to makecertain the signal is activated once, and only once, and for the properperiod of time.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention,such as arise in connection with carrying out the above-noted ideas in apractical embodiment, will in part become apparent and in part behereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a door signal regulator which consistsessentially of an electrical circuit that includes the signal, a pushbutton, and electrical devices for causing the signal to be activatedfor exactly a predetermined period once the push button is depressed,and then rendered ineffective for another longer predetermined intervalirrespective of whether or not the push button is actuated.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, referencemay be had to the following description and accompanying drawing,wherein:

The figure is a wiring diagram of a door signal regulatordesigned inaccordance with the precepts of this invention.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts, a transformer is referred to in its entirety by thereference character T.

- The transformer T includes a primary 10 which is intended to beconnected to any appropriate source of current supply, such as the usualor l20-volt lines that are commonly found in the home. The transformer Talso includes a secondary 11 having terminals 12 and 13.

It will be understood that the current that is usually available isalternating current and that the transformer 'From this same terminal 14another line 19 extends and is connected to a binding post 20 which isincluded as a part of a door signal, which is represented by the bell B.The bell B includes another terminal 21, from which extends a line 22that is connected to a switch terminal 23 of a three-pole double-throwswitch which is referred to in its entirety by the reference characterS. From this switch terminal 23 there extends another line 24 to aterminal 25.

Between this terminal 25 and another terminal 26 there is a condenser27. This condenser is provided for antispark purposes and is not anabsolute essential to the device. From the terminal 26 a line 28 extendsto the terminal 13 of the transformer secondary 11.

From the terminal 15 of the rectifier R there extends a line 29 endingin a terminal 30. This terminal 30 is connected to another switchterminal 31, which is a part of the switch S, by a line 32. A contactswitch C has contacts 33 and 34 which are adapted to be either in theopen condition depicted in the drawing or closed. The contact 33 iscarried by an arm 35 that is connected to the terminal 30; while thecontact 34 .is carried by an arm 36 that is connected to a terminal 37.From the terminal 37 a line 38 extends to another switch tenninal 39 ofthe switch S. Also connected to the terminal 37 is one end of a relaycoil 40,'the other end of which is connected to a terminal 41. From theterminal 41 a line 42 extends to a terminal 43. Between this terminal 43and another terminal 44- there is a condenser 45. A high resistance 46in the nature of 80,000-100,000 ohms is connected across the condenser45 and to the terminals 43 and 44. the terminal 17 of the rectifier R.

A second contact switch is represented at C. It includes contacts 48 and49, which normally are spaced as depicted in the drawing but which areadapted to be brought intocontacting engagement under the influence ofthe relay coil 4%. The contact 48 is connected to the terminal 25 by aline 50; while the contact 49 is connected by a line 51 with a terminal52..

The terminal 52 is connected to the terminal 26 by a line 53, andanother line 9 extends from the terminal 52 to a terminal 54.

From the terminal 54 a line 55 extends to a switchblade pole 56 which isincluded as a part of the switch S. The switch S also includesswitch-blade poles 57 and as well as another switch terminal 69. Fromthe switch-blade pole of the switch S a line 59 extends to the terminal68 that is included as a part of a push button, which is referred to inits entirety by the reference character P. The push button P includesanother terminal 61 that is connected by a line 62 with the switch-bladepole 57 of the switch S. From the switch terminal 69 of the switch S aline 63 extends to the terminal 16 of the rectifier R.

The switch S includes an arm 64 that, in the position of the drawing,connects the terminal 31 and switchbiade pole 53. In the other position,this arm is adapted to connect the switch-blade pole 58 with the switchterminal 23. The switch S also includes a second arm 65 which, in theposition illustrated, connects the terminal and switch-blade pole 57.When the switch is swung over into its other position, this arm 65connects the switch-blade pole 57 with a switch terminal 66 that is inturn connected by a line 67 with the terminal 54. Switch S includesstill another arm 68 which, in the position illustrated, connects theswitch-blade pole 56 with switch terminal 69. When the switch isswunginto its other position, this arm 68 is ineffective.

Operation When the push button is depressed, the connection across theterminals 6t? and 61 is completed. This complctes the circuit fromterminal 15 of the'rectifier through line 29, terminal 3t), line 32,switch terminal 31 of the switch S, switch-blade pole 58 of the switchS,line- 5?, line 62, switch-blade pole 57 of the switch S, switch terminal39 of the switch S, line 3%, terminal 37, relay coil 4t, terminal 41,and line 42 through condenser 45 and line 47 back to the terminal 117 ofthe rectifier R.

As the relay coil 40 is energized, the contacts C and C are closed andwill remain closed as long as suflicient current passes through therelay coil 40. When the contact C is closed, the circuit through thebell B is completed in the following manner: it flows from terminal 12of the transformer 13. through line 18 to terminal 14, from the latterthrough the line'll9 through the bell B.

From the terminal 44 a line 47 extends to ton P and renders ineffectiveany actuation of the latter until such time as the condenser isdischarged.

The high resistance 46 across the condenser 45 gradually discharges thiscondenser and, after it has been discharged, the system is again incondition to have the push button P depressed to ring the bell B. Thetime which it takes the resistance 46 to discharge the condenser is thetime during which it is impossible to activate the signal. The time ittakes the condenser to charge determines the time .during whichsufficient current flows through the relay coil 40, and hence the timeperiod during which the signal B is activated.

When the switch S is thrown into position in which the arm 64 engagesswitch terminal 23 and the arm 65 engages the switch terminal 66, thedoor signal is ready to be used in the normal manner now obtainingwithout the regulating features. This position of the switch simply cutsout the regulator.

In' order to give a more clear understanding of one embodiment of theinvention, it will be noted that the source of current supply availableis ordinarily 110-120 volts-AC; The secondary 11 of the transformer willhave a potential ranging from 8 to 16 volts. The bell, chime, or buzzerwhich is represented at B will include the usual'standard circuits forsuch devices.

The relay coil 40 should have a resistance of 200-250 ohms and shoulddraw a current of about milliamperes. The condenser. 45 has a capacityof 500 microfarads, which is particularly indicated when the signal B isa chime, and should be much smaller when a hell or buzzer is utilized.As above explained, the resistance 46 should be in the nature of80,000100,000 ohms.

It is importantrto note that the capacity of the condenser 45 should beproperly correlated with the current which the relay coil 49'draws. Thesize of the resistance 46 determines the time it takes the condenser todischarge, and thus the time during which it is impossible to activatethe signal.

The reason for short-circuiting the push button P by the'contact 0 whenthe coil 40 is energized is to make certain that the bell is rung once,and only once, and for the proper time period. When a chime is employed,it is particularly important that the circuit through be of properduration.

It will be understood that the foregoing potentials, currents,capacities, and resistances are given purely by way of example and aresubject to variation depending tems, circuits, anddevices illustratedand described, be

From the hell 8 the circuit is' through the line Z2 totheswitch terminal23 and from the latter through lines 24 and 56, across the contact C,and then through lines 51, 53, and to the terminal 13 of the transformerT. Thus the circuit through the bell B is completed and renderedefiective only so long as sufficient current flows through the relaycoil 49. The current will so flow until the condenser 45 is charged tothat point where insuflicient current flows through the relay coil 40 tomaintain the contacts C and C closed, whereupon contact C is opened tointerrupt the circuit-through the bell B.

At this same time that the relay coil 41 is energized, the contact Ccloses, which short-circuits the push butcause various modifications ofthese'details may be provided in putting the invention into practiceWithin the purview of the appended claims. a

.What is claimed is:

1. In a door signal regulator, an electrical system comprising: atransformer having a primary adapted to be connected to a source ofcurrent supply and asecondary; a four-way bridge rectifier includingopposite first and third AC terminals and opposite second and fourthD.C. terminals, a line connecting one end of said secondary' to saidfirst terminal, a three-pole double-throw switch includingfiveeffectiveswitch terminals and three switch-bladepolesfa line extending from theother end of said secondary to said third rectifier terminal and inofsaid switch, said lines providing an AC. circuit throughsaidgre'ctifier; arelay-coil, a push-button switch, acondensenand shuntresistor with a D.C. circuit from one rectifier DIG; terminal to theother rectifier D.C. terminal including said relay coil, saidpush-button switch, said condensennandlshunt, and twoswitch-blade polesand the signal two switch terminals of said three-pole double-throwswitch; and an AC. circuit across said secondary and including a signal,one switch terminal of said three-pole double-throw switch, and a pairof relay contacts.

2. In a door signal regulator, an electrical system comprising: atransformer having a primary adapted to be connected to a source ofcurrent supply and a secondary; a four-way bridge rectifier includingopposite first and third A.C. terminals and opposite second and fourthD.C. terminals, a line connecting one end of said secondary to saidfirst terminal, a three-pole double-throw switch including fiveefiective switch terminals and three switchblade poles, a line extendingfrom the other end of said secondary to said third rectifier terminaland including one switch-blade pole and one switch terminal of saidswitch, said lines providing an AC. circuit through said rectifier, arelay coil, a push-button switch, a condenser, and shunt resistor with aDC. circuit from one rectifier D.C. terminal to the other rectifier D.C.terminal including said relay coil, said push-button sw-itch, saidcondenser, and shunt, and two switch-blade poles and two switchterminals of said three-pole double-throw switch; an AC. circuit acrosssaid secondary and including a signal, one switch terminal of saidthree-pole doublethrow switch, and a pair of relay contacts; and a relaycontact included in said D.C. circuit for shunting said push-buttonswitch.

3. In a door signal regulator, an electrical system comprising: atransformer having a primary adapted to be connected to a source or"current supply and a secondary; a four-way bridge rectifier includingA.C. terminals and DC. terminals, a line connecting one end of saidsecondary to one of said A.C. terminals; a three-pole doublethrow switchincluding five elfective switch terminals and three switch-blade poles;a line extending from the other end of said secondary to the other ofsaid A.C. terminals and including one switch-blade pole and one switchterminal of said switch; said lines providing an AC. circuit throughsaid rectifier; a relay coil, a push-button switch, a condenser, andshunt resistor with a D.C. circuit from one of said rectifier D.C.terminals to the other of said rectifier D.C. terminals and includingsaid relay coil, said push-button switch, said condenser, and shunt, andtwo switch-blade poles and two switch terminals of said threepoledouble-throw switch; and an AC. circuit across said secondary andincluding a signal, one switch terminal of said three-pole double-throwswitch, and a pair of relay contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,126,432 Vonopel Aug. 9, 1938 2,203,907 Hines June 11, 1940 2,263,051Rittenhouse et al Nov. 18, 1941 2,659,074 Alexander et al. Nov. 10, 1953

